"Read me a story, mommy", asked Karl, eyes half sleepy but still trying to hang on. As the book opened, he tried to linger on every word but in a matter of minutes, his eyes were closed and he was in another land and maybe another time. Fictional characters were all around him and with it, the promise of new adventures.

A memory from yesteryear.

A unique gift for a unique person

"Can we have a picnic outside, mommy? My bench out there is for eating" said Karl.

"Let me do it", I heard Karl say. Daddy and him were in the kitchen cooking. Daddy was quite the cook and he had been teaching Karl his skill. By now, Karl had learned to add frosting on pastries, chocolate chips on muffins and today, Karl was learning to add spices to a pork marinade. Those two have way too much fun together.

"I am going to see what grandma wants. Don't touch anything", Karl told me as he left."What does that mean?" asked daddy. "He's upset I messed up his video game last time he left it running", I informed him. "He's only 3, he doesn't even know how to use the computer!" daddy said. "Oh, Karl does and he is upset!"

"Mommy, the tomatoes are coming", I heard Karl say. "The what are coming?" I asked. "The tomatoes are coming", Karl repeated."Who said that?" I asked. "They said it on TV, they said the tomatoes are coming." "Sweetie, they said tornadoes might be coming, not tomatoes."

"Mommy, what are you doing",asked Karl. "I am taking pictures of some baskets I made", I let him know. "Why?" he said. "I am posting them on our website so if anybody wants them, they can buy it from us", I let him know. "Ok, but don't take a picture of my 'Mouse Trap' game. I still want to play with it."